Love of the Gladiator (Affairs of the Arena Book 2) (25 page)

“
Listen
to me.” Publius’s voice was harsh. “Your leg is clearly beyond repair. This is what the medicae reported. You will walk with a limp for the rest of your days. Perhaps you could fight well, still. Perhaps not. Again, I am cutting costs. Cutting excesses. Looking after a possibility such as what you present is beyond my current bounds. You, also, are to be freed.”

Gwenn and Lucius looked at each other, both speechless.

“Freedmen and women get married all the time, I have heard. They require no permission from anyone.” Publius’s smile was small. “That is my understanding, at any rate. You can find out for yourselves.”

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G
wenn stepped outside in the early morning sun. She took a moment in front of the watering trough, watching as the fighters who woke before her took their fill.

Most of the fighters were men, but there were some women. Some of the clients of their school found a great use for a woman in their employ. Their aspiring bodyguards were often soldiers, but anyone could apply. All they had to do was pass a six week training course which was administrated by Lucius and Gwenn.

The majority of their clients were politicians. Some were equestrian merchants, however—but all of them had money. And people with money had enemies. Rivals. Foul sorts who thought the best thing in the world would be to relieve these politicians and merchants of the burden of their money and their lives.

And so, these men and women needed bodyguards. They could hire legionaries, or if they were high in status in the Empire, could simply have legionaries assigned to them via imperial favors and the like. But sometimes this took a while, and some other times, a legionary’s loyalty was questionable.

The bodyguards hired at the Company of the Starred Hunters kept their word no matter what. When they were hired for a job, they always saw it through. This was their promise and their bond.

And if a bodyguard was found not to keep their word, then they would have to answer to the legendary Artemis or Orion in person.

It had been a hard blow, knowing that she would not fight in the arena again. But life as a bodyguard was not at all quiet, and she still was able to enjoy a scrape now and again.

And she trained every day. Gwenn loved to train.

Their property was small, but spacious enough for their needs. They rented it from a wealthy politician in Puteoli who saw the value in having a retinue of bodyguards available whenever he wanted. The lands allotted to them had been improved greatly over the last few months, and now had several training areas and an obstacle course, as well as a small barracks so that applicants could stay there as they trained.

Lucius was already up—always the early-riser. He stood on the training grounds, barking at the assembled bodyguards to stand at attention.

“You lot better shape up quick or you won’t last a second in the streets.” He made a circle with his hands. “Take a lap.”

The chorus was familiar and expected. “Yes, Doctore!”

Contrary to Lucius’s words, this latest crop was shaping up to be one of their finest yet. The two of them compared notes at night about their methods in teaching and training. They learned more with each new batch of bodyguards they turned out.

Ros, Kav, and Sabiana worked as slaves still—for Publius. He had kept them on under contract, but paid them regular wages.

He was a strange man, Publius. He felt it only fair to pay them higher wages since they had lost the “privilege” of risking their lives in the arena.

Unbidden, Kav's words rang through Gwenn's head.

Make a place for us, will you? When we get out.

Gwenn smiled. She had done exactly that. Kav had meant a spot at the table; a bed to sleep in.

But Gwenn and Lucius had arranged a real place for them—a life they could have, if they wanted it. A life with them, helping them teach and train new bodyguards in Puteoli and beyond. Or they could simply use the home of Gwenn and Lucius as a base, rotating out to other jobs as they wished until they found their place. 

The only thing their new home lacked was wine, which was fine by Gwenn. It made Lucius feel safer, and she never drank it anyway.

She walked up beside Lucius, resisting the urge to pull her body against his. All the bodyguards knew they were married, but still, it was bad form to show public displays of affection at work. Gwenn made a mental note, followed by several mental sub-notes, to shower her husband in kisses during their midday break.

He looked at her, his small smile full of joy, a reflection of her own mind.

“Everything all right?”

She just smiled.

# # #

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• I'm so happy you've decided to read
  Love of the Gladiator
  . Thank you for spending your time with my story.
  
• Your opinion matters. I welcome and encourage all reviews. Readers like you are the reason other readers find books they want to read! Please review this book on
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• You've enjoyed book #1 in the
  Affairs of the Arena
  series. If you would like to read more tales about House Varinius and its inhabitants, check out
  Heart of the Gladiator
  (#1) and
  Desire
  of the Gladiator
  (#3) today!
  
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- L
ydia Pax

* * * * *

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A
uthor's Note:

Like any fictionalization of history, there's a good deal here that's probably not entirely accurate (though I did my best) because sometimes sacrifices have to be made to tell the right story. The stuff that IS accurate is due to the following works, all of which are excellent and well worth your time if you have any interest in history.

––––––––

D
uncan, Mike.
The History Of Rome
. Podcast audio. Accessed 2014-2015.

Hamilton, Edith.
The Roman Way
. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. 1932.

Matthews, Rupert.
The Age of the Gladiators: Savagery & Spectacle in Ancient Rome.
China: Chartwell Books, Inc. 2003.

Meijer, Fik.
The Gladiators: History's Most Deadly Sport.
New York: St. Martin's Griffen. 2003.

Potter, David.
The Emperors of Rome
. Great Britain: Quercus. 2013.

Did you love
Love of the Gladiator
? Then you should read
Desire of the Gladiator
by Lydia Pax!

She is above his class. But she is not above wanting him for herself.
Leda is better than the lowly place she finds herself in. Born a princess and now trapped as a slave serving gladiators, she fights every day just to keep her head above water. Her petitions for freedom and a return to her home country are tireless—but as a princess, she has to remain pure, and her body untainted, if she is to return at all
The last thing she should do is fall for a gladiator. But that’s exactly what happens when arena warrior Conall saves her life from a would-be assassin. Conall is wrong for Leda in every way. He’s wild. He’s reckless. He’s utterly beneath her station.
He’s also got a hard, ripped body forged by dozens of battles, a stare that makes her melt, and a love so fierce that it digs deep into the fibers of her soul. Their heat is undeniable, but Conall is dead-set on pursuing one too-dangerous fight after another. His passion will get him killed—but it’s also what draws Leda to him with her breaths hot and her undergarments totally soaked.
When they join together, they risk everything. But if there’s one thing worth dying for, it’s the desire of a gladiator.

Read more at
Lydia Pax’s site
.